VIDEO: The boss who fell asleep on a railway track
15th December 2006
Kevin Craswell can be seen asleep to the left of a passing train and using the live rail as a pillow
Go here to watch the video as a train passes by the sleeping man - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...1770&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=NEWS&ct=5
A drunk company director escaped jail today after passing out on a railway track in the afternoon rush hour.
Former company director Kevin Craswell, 48, was heard snoring as he lay sprawled across the tracks with his feet just inches from the live rail. Astonishing pictures show him using the rail as a pillow.
Staff were forced to switch off the power to the line, near Epsom, in Surrey, causing delays for thousands of people on four routes, costing £7,296.
The alcoholic faced up to six months in prison when he appeared in court today after admitting obstructing the railway by neglect.
But magistrate Ron Fewtrell said although he was aware of the potential risk to rail users, he did not believe Craswell intended to harm people.
He ordered the defendant to undertake a community service, a community order and to pay compensation to the rail company.
Craswell, 48, consumed a "lethal" amount of vodka and was seen by passengers at 3.30pm crawling along the railway at Epsom.
Police said he was extraordinarily lucky to have survived. Oncoming trains had to be diverted at the last minute.
Craswell, a company director from Ashstead who had "fallen on hard times", was taken to hospital where he later received an on-the-spot fine for being drunk and disorderly.
Graham Guerin, defending Craswell, had told an earlier hearing: "This is a professional man who fell on hard times five years ago and developed a drink problem. He had drunk a substantial amount of vodka and has no recollection of this incident. But he acknowledges the danger he presented not only to himself but to others.
"Since this happened he has taken steps to help himself and also arranged to see a counsellor."
dailymail.co.uk
15th December 2006
Kevin Craswell can be seen asleep to the left of a passing train and using the live rail as a pillow
Go here to watch the video as a train passes by the sleeping man - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...1770&ico=Homepage&icl=TabModule&icc=NEWS&ct=5
A drunk company director escaped jail today after passing out on a railway track in the afternoon rush hour.
Former company director Kevin Craswell, 48, was heard snoring as he lay sprawled across the tracks with his feet just inches from the live rail. Astonishing pictures show him using the rail as a pillow.
Staff were forced to switch off the power to the line, near Epsom, in Surrey, causing delays for thousands of people on four routes, costing £7,296.
The alcoholic faced up to six months in prison when he appeared in court today after admitting obstructing the railway by neglect.
But magistrate Ron Fewtrell said although he was aware of the potential risk to rail users, he did not believe Craswell intended to harm people.
He ordered the defendant to undertake a community service, a community order and to pay compensation to the rail company.
Craswell, 48, consumed a "lethal" amount of vodka and was seen by passengers at 3.30pm crawling along the railway at Epsom.
Police said he was extraordinarily lucky to have survived. Oncoming trains had to be diverted at the last minute.
Craswell, a company director from Ashstead who had "fallen on hard times", was taken to hospital where he later received an on-the-spot fine for being drunk and disorderly.
Graham Guerin, defending Craswell, had told an earlier hearing: "This is a professional man who fell on hard times five years ago and developed a drink problem. He had drunk a substantial amount of vodka and has no recollection of this incident. But he acknowledges the danger he presented not only to himself but to others.
"Since this happened he has taken steps to help himself and also arranged to see a counsellor."
dailymail.co.uk